Is Lake Darling Safe for Swimming?
Lake Darling in Ward County, North Dakota has a water quality grade of D (Poor). Swimming not recommended, poor water quality with high algae risk. Water clarity: 5.8 ft visibility. Phosphorus: 395 µg/L. Chlorophyll-a (algae): 9 µg/L. Always check local health department advisories before swimming.
Key Metrics
| Metric | Value |
|---|---|
| Overall Grade | D (Poor) |
| Water Clarity (Secchi Depth) | 5.8 ft |
| Phosphorus | 395 μg/L |
| Chlorophyll-a (Algae) | 9 μg/L |
| Maximum Depth | 28.7 ft |
| Location | Ward County, North Dakota |
How does Lake Darling compare?
With an overall water quality grade of D, Lake Darling falls below the North Dakota state average of Grade C. It ranks #4 of 4 lakes in Ward County by water quality score.
Water clarity (Secchi depth) sits at 5.8 feet. That falls into moderate clarity — typical for lakes with some nutrient enrichment. Algae levels (chlorophyll-a) measure 9 µg/L — moderate; acceptable for swimming on most days, but worth checking advisories.